Mortise lock having freely movable external manipulator

ABSTRACT

A mortise lock for use on an entrance door or the like has a latch operated by a thumbpiece from the outside except when the thumbpiece is released by a locking or disabling mechanism. In the released position, the thumbpiece and an associated operating lever contained within the lock casing are freely movable relative to other parts of a latchbolt retracting mechanism. The latchbolt may be retracted by a manual manipulator from the inside at all times. Various means compatible with parts of a conventional mortise lock are provided for effecting locking release of the thumbpiece.

United States Patent Alexander MORTISE LOCK HAVING MOVABLE EXTERNAL MANIPULATOR Inventor: Gordon A. Alexander, Newington,

Conn.

Assignee: Ernhart Corporation, Bloomfield,

Conn.

Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 Appl. No.: 347,338

US. Cl 70/149, 70/107, 70/DIG. 73, 292/165 Int. Cl E05b 55/10 Field of Search 70/107, 149, DIG. 73; 292/34, 165, DIG. 27

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1949 Ledin 1 292/165 11/1955 'McConnell 70/149 10/1972 Eads et al. 70/107 [451 May 7,1974

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 660,188 10/1951 Great Britain 7'0/149 Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, .lr.

, Attorney, Agent, or Firm--McCormick, Paulding &

Huber [57] ABSTRACT A mortise lock for use on an entrance door or the like has a latch operated by a thumbpiece from the outside except when the thumbpiece is released by a locking or disabling mechanism. In the released position, the

thumbpiece and an associated operating lever con-.

tained within the lock casing are freely movable relative to other parts of a latchbolt retracting mechanism. The latchbolt may be retracted by a manual manipulator from the inside at all times. Various means compatible with parts of a conventional mortise lock are provided for effecting locking release of the thumbpiece.

21 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Pmemanm mu 1808.849

SHEET 2 0F 5 FIG.9

MORTISE LOCK HAVING FREELY MOVABLE EXTERNAL MANIPULATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION thumbpiece which may be locked.

Locks of the aforedescribed general type are commonly used on apartments, public buildings or the like where large numbers of people can be expected to gather, to permit egress from the building at all times and particularly in case of emergency such as fire or accident.

Safety requires that the inside manually manipulated actuating mechanism for the lock shall always be directed associated with the latchbolt retractor so that the door may be opened at all times from the inside regardless of the locked condition of other associated mechanism. When'the door is to be locked to prevent entrance from the outside, it has been customary to provide means for dogging the outside manual manipulator or thumbpiece. However, experience has proven that vandals often attempt entry through forced manipulation of the outside manual manipulating means even though the same is quite obviously dogged. Under some circumstances, repeated juggling of an outside manipulator such as a thumbpiece may result in sufficient retraction of the latchbolt to permit entry. Damage to the outside operating mechanism often results, even when entry is not achieved.

This problem has been overcome in some types of locks by providing for disablement of the outside manual manipulating means so that the latter means will be freely movable relative to essential parts of the latchbolt retracting mechanism when the door is locked. A typical disabling mechanism of the aforedescribed general type is disclosed in US. Pat. No, 2,724,258 to Mc- Connell, issued Nov. 22, 1955 and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The present invention is concerned with the aforedescribed general problem as particularly related to mortise-type entrance locks. It is the general aim of the present invention to provide a locking or disabling mechanism for locks of the aforedescribed general type having various functions and which may incorporate parts of a conventional mortise lock mechanism whereby only minor modification of such parts is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to improvements in a mortise lock of a type which includes a casing and a latchbolt supported in the casing for movement forwardly thereof to projected position and rearwardly thereof to retracted position. The latchbolt has a forwardly facing abutment thereon and is biased toward its projected position. An inside operated means including a latchbolt retracting lever mounted in the easing for pivotal movement about an axis which extends transversely thereof and which is at all times aligned with the abutment surface and means operable at all times to pivot the retracting lever whereby to retract the latchbolt. In accordance with the invention, an improved outside operating means is provided which includes an externally operated locking mechanism movable between unlocked and locked positions relative to the casing. The locking mechanism includes a carrier member which supports an enabling member formovement therewith and relative thereto. When the locking mechanism is in its unlocked position, the enabling member is supported by the carrier member in a position wherein it provides motion transmission connection between an outside manual manipulator such as a thumbpiece and the retracting lever whereby the latchbolt may be retracted by operation of the outside manipulator. However, when the outside locking means is in its locked position, the carrier supports the enabling member to another position wherein operative connection between the retracting lever and the outside manipulator is interrupted whereby the outside manipulator is freely movable relative to the lock casing but out of driving relation with the retracting lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS nism therein and the face plate thereof shown in verti cal section.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the mortise lock of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mortise lock of FIG. 1 shown mounted on a door.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. I, but shows the condition of the latchbolt retracting mechanism when the external locking mechanism is in its locked position and the outside thumbpiece is depressed.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, but shows the condition of the latchbolt retracting mechanism when the external locking mechanism is in its unlocked condition and the outside thumbpiece is depressed. g FIG. 6 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but shows another mortise lock embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of parts of the mortise'lock of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but shows still another mortise lock embodying the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the mortise lock of FIG. 8 shown mounted on a door.

FIG. 10 is an exploded isometric view of parts of the mortise lock of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 1, but shows yet another mortise lock embodying the present invention.v

FIG. 12 is an exploded isometric view of parts of the mortise lock of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, a conventional mortise lock embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The lock 10 is particularly adapted for use on an entrance door and includes a latchbolt designated generally by the numeral 12 which may be operated from the outside by an outside operating mechanism 14 which includes an external manipulator or thumb-piece 15 except when the thumbpiece is released or disabled by a locking mechanism indicated generally at 16 and exposed in the face plate or front of the lock. The latchbolt 12 may be operated or retracted at all times from the inside by an inside operating mechanism 18 and from the outside by a key 20. The illustrated lock further includes a deadbolt 22 operable at all times from the inside by a turn piece 24 and from the outside by the key 20.

Considering the lock 10 in further detail and referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 25 generally denotes the casing of the lockwhich has a generally rectangular shape and includes spaced parallel inner and outer side walls 26 and 28, respectively, and an end wall 30. The end wall is integral with the outer side wall 28 and contiguous to the upper and lower edges thereof. The side wall 26 comprises a separate cover plate detachably secured against the edge of the wall 30 by screws (not shown) to form a closure for the casing, as well known in the art. An opening or slot 32, partially defined by side walls 26 and 28, opens through the bottom of the casing and communicates with the interior thereofThe slot 32 is further defined by a downwardly facing abutment surface 34 on the outer side wall 28 anda similar abutment surface on the inner side wall (not shown); The casing 25 also includes a face plate 36 which overlies the open forward edge thereof and has openings therethrough to accommodate thelatchbolt 12, the deadbolt 22 and stop buttons which comprise the locking mechanism 16 hereinafter further described.

The casing is adapted to be mounted in a mortise opening formed in the edge of a door with the face plate 36 disposed flush with the door edge and is secured tothe door by mounting screws which extend through holes (not shown) in opposite end portions of the face plate. A finish trim piece or scalp 38 overlies and generally complements the face plate to conceal theaforementioned mounting screws and is secured to the face plate by threaded fasteners.

The illustrated latchbolt I2 is generally symmetrical about a horizontal plane and mounted in the casing 25 for reciprocable sliding movement longitudinally thereof between a forward, projected position and a rearward, retracted position. It includes an antifriction, multiple part head portion 40 which extends through an opening in the face plate 36 for engagement with a strike or keeper on an associated door frame (not shown). The latchbolt also includes an elongated tailpiece 42 which extends axially rearwardly from the head 40 and is slidably guided by a bifurcated lug 44 which projects from the outer side wall 28. The latchbolt is biased forwardly toward its normal projected position as shown in FIG. 1 by a compression spring 46 which surrounds the tailpiece 42 between the lug 44 and the rear end of the latchbolt head 40. A foot 48, mounted at the rear end of the tailpiece 42, defines a forwardly facing abutment surface 50 on the latchbolt 12. v

The latchbolt 12 may be retracted or moved rearwardly from its normally projected position at all times by the inside operating mechanism 18 which includes a generally L-shaped latch-bolt retracting lever 52. The latter lever is supportedto pivot about an axis which extends transversely of the casing 25 and is mounted at one end on a pivot stud 54 which projects into the casing from the side wall 28. The other end portion of the retracting lever 52 is at all times aligned with the abutment surface 50. A headed stud 56, mounted on the lever 52 intermediate its ends, projects transversely therefrom. The inside operating means 18 also includes a hub 58 which extends between the side walls 26 and 28 and is journalled thereon for rotation about an axis 60 which extends transversely of the casing 25. The hub 58 has rollback cams thereon and a coaxial bore of polygonal cross section therethrough to receive a knob spindle of generally complementary shape adapted to carry a door knob or the like such as indicated at 62 in FIG. 3. The rollback cams on the hub 58 are arranged to operate the retracting lever 52 through an intermediate hub lever 64 pivoted at one end on a pivot stud 65 on the casing 25 and having its free end disposed between the hub 58 and the stud 56, as best shown in FIG. 1. When the door knob 62 (FIG. 3) is rotated in either direction, one of the rollback cams on the hub 58 engages the hub lever 64 to pivot it in a clockwise direction from its position in FIG. 1. The hub lever 64, in turn, imparts counterclockwise rotation to the retracting lever 52 to cause the free end thereof to engage the abutment surface 50 on the foot 48-to move the latchbolt l2 rearwardly from its normal projected position to its retracted position or broken line position in FIG. 1. Such rearward movement is limited by engagement of the foot 48 with the end wall 30.

the outer side of the door at all times by the key 20 to retract the latchbolt 12. The latter mechanism includes a cylinder latch lever68 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a boss 70 associated with the outer side wall 28. The lower end of the lever 68 is at all times aligned with the abutment surface 50.- The upper end of the lever 68 is disposed in the path of an eccentric cam 72 mounted at the inner end of a key plug (not shown) associated with a lock cylinder 74 threaded into the outer side-wallv 28, as is well known in the art, and best shown in FIG. 1. Rotation of the key 20 (FIG.

3) in a clockwise direction causes corresponding coun- The deadbolt 22'is movable through an opening in the face plate 36 between projected and retracted positions by a turn knob hub 76 which is journalled on and extends between the casing side walls.26 and 28. Thedeadbolt 22 may be projected orretracted from the inside of the door at all times by the turn piece 24 which is connected to the turn knob hub 76 by a conventional spindle. The turn knob hub 76 has a recess 78 for reception of the lock cylinder cam 72. The deadbolt 22 may be moved from its retracted to its projected position by operating the key 20 to rotate the cam 72 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, or from its projected to its retracted position by rotating the key in an opposite direction, all of which is conventional and well known in the art.

In accordance with the present invention, the outside operating mechanism 14 is operated by the thumbpiece I 15, best shown in FIG. 3, to retract the latchbolt 12 except when the latter mechanism is disabled by the external locking means 16. The operating mechanism 14 comprises an operating lever 82 and an enabling member or lever 84 which cooperate to pivot the retracting lever 52. The operating lever 82 is mounted at one end on a pivot stud 85 fixed to the casing to pivot about a transverse axis and has an upwardly facing bearing surface 86 at its opposite end and an aperture or upwardly extending slot 88 intermediate its ends which receives the hub 58 therethrough. A tab 89 projects transversely y from the lower edge of the lever 82 within the slot 32 and defines a downwardly facing operating abutment. Theoperating lever 82 is biased in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot stud 85 by a spring 90. Counter-clockwise rotation of the lever 82 is limited by engagement with the casing 25. The enabling member 84 is supported by the locking mechanism, as hereinafter described, and comprises an inverted, generally U- shaped lever which straddles the hub 58 and has a pivot aperture 93 at its forward end. A finger 94 projects transversely outwardly from the rear end of the enabling lever 84 and defines a downwardly facing abutment surface 96 for engaging the bearing surface 86 on the operating lever 82.

The thumbpiece lever 80, best shown in FIG. 3, is pivoted on the door about an axis 98 which extends longitudinally of the casing 25 and has an operating extension or lever arm 100 at its inner end. The lever arm is disposed within the slot 32 and engages the operating abutment on the tab 89 within the slot 32, as best shown in FIG. 1. Depressing the thumbpiece causes the operating lever 82 to pivot in a clockwise direction about the pivot stud 85 (FIG. 1). However, clockwise rotation of the lever 82 is limited by engagement of the hub 58 with the wall of the aperture 88. The locking mechanism 16 which enables or disables the operating mechanism 14 and the thumbpiece 15 associated therewith comprises a pair of stopbuttons which project through the face plate 36 and scalp 38 and which includes an upper stop button or carrier member 102 and a lower stop button 104. The upper and lower stop buttons are respectively pivotally connected to opposite ends of a' link or stop connecting,

lever 106 which is pivoted intermediate its ends on the pivot stud 85. Thus, the stop buttons are supported for movement in unison and in opposite directions longitudinally of the casing 25 as is well known in'the lock art. The upper stop button 102 which carries the enabling member 84 has a pivot stud which projects from the offset rear end portion thereof and is received in the pivot aperture 93.

The operation of the outside operating mechanism 14 and its associated locking mechanism 16. is best unwardly facing abutment surface 96 on the enabling lever 84 is disposed rearwardly of and out of vertical alignment with the upwardly facing bearing surface 86 on the operating lever 82. When the thumbpiece 15 is depressed, the lever arm 100 at the inner end thereof, moves upwardly to pivot the operating lever 82 in a clockwise direction from its normal position in FIG. I to its full line position in FIG. 5. Upward movement of the lever arm 100 relative to the casing 25 is limited by engagement of the lever arm with the abutment surface 34 on the casing. Clockwise movement of the operating lever 82 in the direction of the retracting lever 52 is limited by engagement of the aperture wall 88 with the hub 58. Thus, when the locking mechanism 16 is in its locked position, the operating lever 82 is freely movable relative to the enabling lever 84 and the retracting lever 52 in response to depression of the thumbpiece 15. Since the clockwise pivotal movement of the lever 82 is limited, as aforedescribed, no motion is transmitted to the latchbolt retracting lever by the operating lever 82 when the locking mechanism 16 is in its locked position.

The operating mechanism 14 is unlocked or enabled by depressing the lower stop button 104 to unlock the mechanism 16 and in FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 16 is shown in its unlocked position. In the latter position, the carrier member 102 supports the enabling member 84 in its forward-most position so that the abutment surface 96 on the enabling member is generally vertically aligned and in engagement with the bearing surface 86 on the operating lever 82. When the thumbpiece 15 is then depressed, the operating lever 82 and the enabling lever 84 pivot in unison in a clockwise direction about their respective pivotal axes to the position shown in FIG. 5. The enabling lever 84 cooperates with the operating lever 82 and the retracting lever 52 to provide motion transmission connection therebetween whereby depression of the thumbpiece 15 causes counterclockwise rotation of the retracting lever 52 to retract the latchbolt 12. 1

The terms inner and outer have been employed in the foregoing description, for convenience; however, it should be understood that the locks of the present invention are reversible. It will be apparent that the operating extension on the thumbpiece 15 may enter the slot 32 from either side of the casing 25. Accordingly, the thumbpiece 15 may be mounted on either side of a door to cooperate with a lock 10 mounted therein. The illustrated'lock may be adapted for mounting on a door of opposite'hand by simply reversing the position of the latchbolt, that is, by removing the latchbolt from the lock casing, rotating it about its longitudinal axis and reassembling it in the casing to reverse the position of cam surfaces thereon.

In the description of the further embodiments which follow, parts similar to parts previously described bear the same reference numerals and a letter suffix and will not be hereinafter further described. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings, another mortise lock embodying the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10a is similar in some respects to the lock 10 previously described. The lock 10a includes a latchbolt 12a which may at all times be retracted from the inside by an inside operating mechanism indicated generally at 18a. The latchbolt may also be operated from the outside by an outside operating mechanism indicated generally at 14a which includes an external manipulator or thumbpiece 15a except when the thumbpiece is released or disabled by an externally operable locking mechanism indicated generally at 108 which includes a key operated lock cylinder 74a.

The illustrated lock 10a has a cylinder latch lever 1 10 operable at all times in response to operation of the lock cylinder 74a to retract the latchbolt 12a. It also has an auxiliary latch mechanism which includes an auxiliary latch 112, an auxiliary latch lever 114 and a deadlocking lever 116, all of which is well known in the art. The lock 10a further includes a latch hold-back mechanism which comprises a spring biased latch holdback lever 118. The latter mechanism is or may be operated by another lock cylinder (not shown) threaded into the inner wall of the lock casing a. The cylinder latch lever, auxiliary latch mechanism, and latch holdback mechanisms are not immediately germane to the invention, but are shown to illustrate the dual function and interrelation of various parts of the lock 100. A more complete disclosure of the illustrated latch holdback mechanism may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,141,320 to McConnell, issued July 21, 1964 and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Considering now the lock 10a in further detail, the casing 25a has inner and outer side walls 26a and 28a and an end wall 30a. A slot 32a opens through the bottom of the casing, is partially defined by the inner and outer side walls and further defined by the downwardly facing abutment surface 34a on the outer wall 28a and a similar abutment surface on the inner wall (not shown). The face plate 36a and scalp 38a are provided with suitable openings to receive the latchbolt head 40a and the auxiliary bolt 112 which may, if desired, be reversibly positioned therein to facilitate installation on doors of either hand.

The inner operating mechanisms 18a includes a hub 58a, a hub lever 64a and a latchbolt retracting lever 52a. The lever 52a differs slightly in shape from the lever 52 previously described, but is identical in function to the latter lever. The outside operating mechanism 14a is also quite similar to corresponding mechanisms previously described and includes an operating lever 82a, in all substantial respects identical to the lever 82, and an enabling member 84a generally similar in form and identical in function to the member 84 previously described. However, the enabling member 84a is supported to move with and pivot relative to a carrier member or connecting lever 120 which comprises a part of the locking mechanism 108.

Considering now the locking mechanism 108 in further detail, the connecting lever 120 is pivoted about a transverse axis intermediate its ends on a pivot stud 122 and has a pivot stud 124 at its lower end which carries the enabling member 84a. At its upper end, the.

lever 120 is provided with a finger 126 which extends perpendicularly inwardly therefrom. The locking mechanism 108 also includes a stop cylinder lever or rocker member indicated generally at 128 which is mounted on a stud 130 on the casing for pivotal movement in opposite directions about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the latchbolt 12a. The rocker member 128 has a generally U-shaped configuration and comprises a substantially flat body portion 132 which has a pair of arms extending upwardly therefrom in spaced and diverging relationship. The free end portions of the arms have pads 134 and 136 respectively formed thereon which extend transversely thereof and have opposed concave faces. The body portion 132 has a downwardly opening slot 138 formed therein below the pivot stud 130 which receives the finger 128. Pivotal movement of the rocker member 128 is limited through engagement of abutment surfaces 140 and 142 on the body with a stop pin 144 which extends perpendicularly inwardly from the outer wall of the lock casing. The rocker member 128 is biased toward one or the other of its positions by a double acting leaf spring 146 which rests against the end wall of the casing and is provided with a yieldable leg which has a detent portion 148 engageable with a projection on the body of the rocker member 128.

Considering now the operation of the locking mechanism 108 as employed to enable or disable the outside operating mechanism 14a, when the rocker member 128 is in the position shown in FIG. 6, the connecting lever 120 is in its full line position and supports the enabling lever 84a in a position wherein the abutment surface 96a on the enabling lever 84a is out of vertical alignment with the bearing surface 86a on the operating lever 82a. Thus, if the thumbpiece 15a is depressed, the operating lever 82a may pivot freely in a clockwise direction to the limit of its travel and clear of the enabling lever 84a without transmitting motion to the latter lever or to the retracting lever 52a. When it is desired to unlock the outsideoperating mechanism 14a so that the latchbolt 12a may be retracted by actuating the thumbpiece 15a, the lock cylinder cam 72a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction by rotating a key (not shown) associated therewith in a clockwise direction to cause the latter cam to engage the pad 136 to rock the cylinder lever 120 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot 122 to its broken line position in FIG. 6 to move the enabling member 84a to its enabling position. When the enabling member 84a is supported in the latter position, pivotal movement of the operating lver 82a, in response to depression of thumbpiece 15a, causes the operating lever 82a and the enabling lever 84 a to move in unison whereby the retracting lever 52a is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by the enabling lever 84a to retract the latchbolt 12a.

The previously described mortise locks are arranged for inside operation by a door knob or other suitable operator which imparts rotary motion to a hub. However, for some applications, it may be desirable to provide a lock which may be operated from both inside and outside by manually operated lever-type manipulators. Such alock may, for example, be operated by inside and outside thumbpieces or by an inside panic bar adapted to operate a lever and an outside thumbpiece.

In FIGS. 8-l0 of the drawings, there is illustrated an entrance lock indicated generally at 10b and operated by inner and outer thumbpieces, respectively indicated at 150 and 152, and best shown in FIG. 9. The lock 10b includes inside and outside operating mechanisms, respectively designated at 154 and 156. The inside operating mechanism is operable at all time to retract the latchbolt 12b in response to depression of the inner thumbpiece 150. The outside operating mechanism 156 is operable to retract the latchbolt except when disabled by an external locking mechanism 16b which comprises a stop button mechanism substantially identical to the mechanism 16 previously described. The lock 10b also includes an enabling member 158 associated with the locking mechanism 16b and which forms part of both the inside and the outside latchbolt operating mechanisms 154 and 156, as will be hereinafter further evident.

166 which projects into the slot forward portion to define a downwardly facing operating abutment for engagement with an operating extension on the thumbpiece 152. The lever 162 has an upwardly facing bearing surface 168 on its rear end portion and an upwardly extending portion intermediate its ends which defines an upwardly facing abutment surface 170.

The inside operating mechanism 154 includes an inside operating lever.172 also pivoted at its forward end on the stud 85b. A tab 174 at the rear end of the lever 172, positioned within the rear portion of the slot 320, is adapted to move freely within the recess 164 in the lever 162 and defines another operating abutment. The lever 172 also'has an upwardly facing'bearing surface 176 at the rear end thereof and an upwardly extending intermediate portion which defines an upwardly facing abutment surface 177. A- finger 178 projects transversely outwardly from the lever 172 therefrom to engage the inner side of the lever 162 and thereby maintain the two levers in proper transversely spaced relationship. The enabling member 158 is disposed between the two operating levers and carried by the upper stop button or carrier member 102b. It has an elongated body which includes ears 180 and 182 at the forward end thereof. Each ear is provided with a pivot aperture for selectively receiving thepivot pin l08b therein. At its rear end, the member 158 carries a generally L-shaped end piece which defines a longitudinally elongated downwardly facing abutment surface 184 which extends along the inner side of the member 158 and another downwardly facing abutment surface 186 of somewhat lesser longitudinal extent associated with the outer side of the member 158. The enabling member 158 is adapted for reversible mounting as will be hereinafter evident and also includes upwardly facing abutment surfaces 184' and 186' on the upper surface of its end portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture associated with the ear 182 receives the pivot pin l08b. Thus, the elongated abutment surface 184 engages the bearing surface 176 on the inner operating lever 172.

In FIG. 6, the locking mechanism 16b is shown in its locked or disabling position, the upper stop button 10% being depressed. In the latter position, the carrier member l02b supports the enabling member 158 in a position such that downwardly facing abutment surface 186 thereon is out of vertical alignment and engagement with the upwardly facing bearing surface 168 on the outside operating lever 162. Thus, the outer operating lever 162 is free to pivot in a clockwise direction, from its position in FIG. 6, out of engagement with the enabling member 158. The abutment surface 170 is arranged to engage an associated stop such as indicated at 188, which projects from the inner wall of the lock casing, to limit clockwise pivotal movement of the lever 162. The latter stop prevents the lever 162 from attaining a position where the abutment surface 168 thereon engages the stud 56b on the retracting lever 52b.

Operation of the lower stop button 104b, to unlock the mechanism 16b, shifts the carrier member 102b and the enabling member 158 in a forward direction to a position wherein the abutment surface 186 on the enabling member is aligned with the corresponding bearing surface 168 on the lever 162. When the enabling member 158 is in the latter position, it cooperates and moves in unison with the operating lever 162 in response to depression of the thumbpiece 152 to pivot the retracting lever. 52b and thereby retract the latchbolt 12b. The bearing surface 176 on the inner operating lever 172 engages at least a portion of the inner abutment surface 184 on the enabling lever 158 at all times, that is, in both positions of the enabling lever so that the inner operating lever 172 is at all times operable through the enabling lever 158 to transmit motion to the latch-bolt retracting lever 52b and thereby re tract the latchbolt.

For convenience in description, the terms inner and outer have also been employed with reference to operating mechanisms for the latch 10b. However, it should be understood that functions of the operating mechanisms may be readily reversed by simply reversing the mounting position of the enabling member 158 on the carrier member 102b. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot pin l08b is engaged in the pivot aperture associated with the ear 182. Accordingly, the elongated abutment surface 184 on the enabling lever 158 cooperates in both locked and unlocked position with the bearing surface 176 on the lever 172, which has been arbitrarily designated the inner operating lever. To effect reversal of function, the enabling lever may be rotated l about its longitudinal axis and assembled so that the pivot pin 108b is received in the pivot aperture in the ear 180b. The abutment service 186 now cooperates with the bearing surface 176 on the lever 172, but only when the lock mechanism 16b is in its unlockedposition. When the enabling member 158 is mounted in the aforedescribed manner, the operating lever 172 functions as an outer operating lever and operation of the lock mechanism 16b is effective to release the thumbpiece 150. It will be understood that the latchbolt and other parts of the lock mechanism will also be reversed, as required and as well known in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings, still another mortise lock embodying the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 100.

The inner and outer operating mechanisms designated- 1540 and 156C are substantially identical in most respects to the corresponding operating mechanisms of the previously described lock 10b. However, the enabling member 1586 is positioned by a locking mechanism 1086 which is substantially identical to the corresponding locking mechanism previously described with reference to the lock 10b. More specifically, the lock 10c includes a pivoted connecting member a which is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pivot stud 122a associated with the outer wall of the lock casing. At its lower end, the connecting lever 120c has a pivot stud 1240 which is received in the pivot aperture associated with the ear 182a on the enabling member. In FIG. 11, the enabling member 1580 is shown in its locked or disabling position wherein the outer operating lever 1626 is freely movable relative thereto in response to depression of the outer thumbpiece 1520. The connecting lever 120c may be shifted to its locked or broken line position by operating a lock cylinder (not shown) to pivot the rocking member 128C in the manner generally aforedescribed with reference to the lock 1017.

I claim:

1. In a mortise lock having. a casing, a latchbolt mounted in said casing for movement longitudinally thereof and forwardly therein to projected position and rearwardly therein to retracted position and having a forwardly facing abutment thereon, means for biasing said latchbolt toward projected position, and inside operated means including a latch lever mounted in said casing for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely thereof and at all times aligned with said abutment for retracting said latchbolt in response to actuation of said inside operated means, the combination comprising outside operating means including an operating lever mounted'in said casingto pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed within an opening in the casing to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated outside operating member for pivoting said operating lever, externally operated locking means movable between unlocked andlocked positions relative to said casing and including a carrier member mounted in said casing and movable relative thereto between first and second positions respectively corresponding to said unlocked and locked positions in response to operation of said locking means, and enabling member mounted on said carrier member for movement therewith and relative thereto, said enabling member being engageable with said latch lever and said operating lever when said locking means is in its unlocked position to provide motion transmission connection between said latch lever and said operating lever to permit latchbolt retracting actuation of said latch lever in response to pivotal movement of said operating lever, said enabling member being out of operative engagement with said operating lever when said locking means is in its locked position to permit free pivotal-movement of said operating lever relative to said enabling member and said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of the outside operating member.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said operat ing lever in the direction of said latch lever to prevent engagement therebetween.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the inside operating means includes a hub journalled in said casing and said means for limiting pivotal movement comprises an abutment surface on said operating lever.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hub extends through an aperture in said operating lever and said abutment surface comprises a surface of said operating lever defining said aperture.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for limiting pivotal movement comprises an abutment on said operating lever for engaging an abutment on said casing.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier member is mounted in said casing for rectilinear movement longitudinally thereof and said enabling member is supported on said carrier member for pivotal movement relative thereto.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the casing includes a face plate at the forward end thereof, said externally operated locking means comprises a pair of stop buttons supported in said casing for movement in unison and in opposite directions relative thereto and which project outwardly through said face plate, and said carrier member comprises one of said stop buttons.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said externally operated locking means comprises a key operated lock cylinder mounted on said casing.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein 12. In a mortise lock having a casing, a latchbolt mounted in said casing for movement longitudinally thereof and forwardly therein to projected position and rearwardly therein to retracted position and having a forwardly facing abutment thereon, and means for biasing said latchbolt to projected position, the combination comprising a latch lever mounted in said casing for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely.

thereof and at all times aligned with said abutment, a first operating lever mounted on said casing to pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed in an opening in the casing to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated first operating member for piv oting said first operating lever, a second operating lever mounted on said casing to pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed in said opening to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated second operating member for pivotingsaid second operating lever, externally operated locking means movable between locked and unlocked positions relative to said casing and including a carrier member mounted in said casing and movable between first and second positions respectively corresponding said unlocked and locked positions, an enabling member mounted on said carrier member for movement therewith and relative thereto, said enabling member being engageable with said latch lever and one of said operating levers to provide motion transmission connection therebetween when said carrier member is in either of its positions to permit latchbolt retracting actuation of said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of said operating member associated with said one operating lever, said enabling member being out of operable engagement with the other of said operating levers when said carrier member is in its second position to permit pivotal movement of said other operating lever relative to said enabling member and said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of said operating member associated with said other operating lever.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said enabling member is generally disposed between said first and second operating levers.

14, The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said enabling member is adapted to be selectively mounted on said carrier member in a first position and in a second position, said first operating lever comprising said one lever and said second operating lever comprising said other lever when said enabling member is mounted in its first position, said second operating lever comprising said one lever and said first operating lever comprising said other lever when said enabling member is mounted in its second position.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said enabling member is pivotally supported on said carrier member.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second operating levers are mounted on said casing to pivot about a common axis.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said carrier member comprises a connecting lever pivotally supported on said casing.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein said casing includes a face plate at the forward end thereof, said externally operated locking means comprises a pair of stop buttons projecting from said casing and supported for movement in unison relative thereto, and said carrier member comprises one of said stop 

1. In a mortise lock having a casing, a latchbolt mounted in said casing for movement longitudinally thereof and forwardly therein to projected position and rearwardly therein to retracted position and having a forwardly facing abutment thereon, means for biasing said latchbolt toward projected position, and inside operated means including a latch lever mounted in said casing for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely thereof and at all times aligned with said abutment for retracting said latchbolt in response to actuation of said inside operated means, the combination comprising outside operating means including an operating lever mounted in said casing to pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed within an opening in the casing to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated outside operating member for pivoting said operating lever, externally operated locking means movable between unlocked and locked positions relative to said casing and including a carrier member mounted in said casing and movable relative thereto between first and second positions respectively corresponding to said unlocked and locked positions in response to operation of said locking means, and enabling member mounted on said carrier member for movement therewith and relative thereto, said enabling member being engageable with said latch lever and said operating lever when said locking means is in its unlocked position to provide motion transmission connection between said latch lever and said operating lever to permit latchbolt retracting actuation of said latch lever in response to pivotal movement of said operating lever, said enabling member being out of operative engagement with said operating lever when said locking means is in its locked position to permit free pivotal movement of said operating lever relative to said enabling member and said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of the outside operating member.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means for limiting the pivotal movement of said operating lever in the direction of said latch lever to prevent engagement therebetween.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the inside operating means includes a hub journalled in said casing and said means for limiting pivotal movement comprises an abutment surface on said operating lever.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hub extends through an aperture in said operating lever and said abutment surface comprises a surface of said operating lever defining said aperture.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for limiting pivotal movement comprises an abutment on said operating lever for engaging an abutment on said casing.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier member is mounted in said casing for rectilinear movement longitudinally thereof and said enabling member is supported on said carrier member for pivotal movement relative thereto.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein the casing includes a face plate at the forward end thereof, said externally operated locking means comprises a pair of stop buttons supported in said casing for movement in unison and in opposite directions relative thereto and which project outwardly through said face plate, and said carrier member comprises one of said stop buttons.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said externally operated locking means comprises a key operated lock cylinder mounted on said casing.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said carrier means comprises a connecting lever pivotally mounted on said casing.
 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said enabling member is pivotally supported on said connecting leveR.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said externally operated locking means comprises a key operated lock cylinder mounted on said casing for pivoting said connecting lever between its first and said second positions.
 12. In a mortise lock having a casing, a latchbolt mounted in said casing for movement longitudinally thereof and forwardly therein to projected position and rearwardly therein to retracted position and having a forwardly facing abutment thereon, and means for biasing said latchbolt to projected position, the combination comprising a latch lever mounted in said casing for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely thereof and at all times aligned with said abutment, a first operating lever mounted on said casing to pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed in an opening in the casing to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated first operating member for pivoting said first operating lever, a second operating lever mounted on said casing to pivot about an axis extending transversely thereof and having an operating abutment thereon exposed in said opening to engage an operating extension on a manually manipulated second operating member for pivoting said second operating lever, externally operated locking means movable between locked and unlocked positions relative to said casing and including a carrier member mounted in said casing and movable between first and second positions respectively corresponding said unlocked and locked positions, an enabling member mounted on said carrier member for movement therewith and relative thereto, said enabling member being engageable with said latch lever and one of said operating levers to provide motion transmission connection therebetween when said carrier member is in either of its positions to permit latchbolt retracting actuation of said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of said operating member associated with said one operating lever, said enabling member being out of operable engagement with the other of said operating levers when said carrier member is in its second position to permit pivotal movement of said other operating lever relative to said enabling member and said latch lever in response to manual manipulation of said operating member associated with said other operating lever.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said enabling member is generally disposed between said first and second operating levers.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 13 wherein said enabling member is adapted to be selectively mounted on said carrier member in a first position and in a second position, said first operating lever comprising said one lever and said second operating lever comprising said other lever when said enabling member is mounted in its first position, said second operating lever comprising said one lever and said first operating lever comprising said other lever when said enabling member is mounted in its second position.
 15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said enabling member is pivotally supported on said carrier member.
 16. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second operating levers are mounted on said casing to pivot about a common axis.
 17. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said carrier member comprises a connecting lever pivotally supported on said casing.
 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein said enabling member is pivotally mounted on said carrier member.
 19. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said externally operated locking means comprises a key operated lock cylinder mounted on said casing.
 20. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said carrier member is mounted in said casing for movement longitudinally thereof and said enabling member is pivotally mounted on said carrier member.
 21. The combination as set forth in claim 20 wherein said Casing includes a face plate at the forward end thereof, said externally operated locking means comprises a pair of stop buttons projecting from said casing and supported for movement in unison relative thereto, and said carrier member comprises one of said stop buttons. 